How do you upgrade your base to include a dedicated smelting area?

Upgrading your base in Valheim to include a dedicated smelting area is essential for efficient resource processing and progression. Smelting allows you to turn raw materials like ore into usable metals, which are critical for crafting advanced tools, weapons, and armor. To create a smelting area, you’ll need to gather specific resources, craft the necessary structures, and plan your base layout carefully.\n\nFirst, you’ll need to unlock the Charcoal Kiln and Smelter crafting recipes. These are unlocked by picking up Surtling Cores, which are found in Burial Chambers in the Black Forest biome. You’ll need at least 10 Surtling Cores to craft both structures. Additionally, gather 20 Stone and 5 Wood to build the Charcoal Kiln, and 20 Stone and 5 Surtling Cores to build the Smelter. These structures are essential for producing Charcoal and smelting ores like Copper, Tin, and Iron.\n\nNext, choose a location for your smelting area. Ideally, this should be close to your main base but far enough to avoid fire hazards. Smelters and Kilns produce smoke, which can cause damage if you’re too close. A good practice is to place them outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. You can also build a roof over the smelting area to protect it from rain, but ensure there’s enough open space for smoke to escape.\n\nOnce your smelting area is set up, you’ll need a steady supply of fuel and raw materials. The Charcoal Kiln converts Wood into Charcoal, which is used to power the Smelter. For example, 10 Wood produces 1 Charcoal, and 1 Charcoal smelts 1 ore. To maximize efficiency, gather large amounts of Wood from the Meadows or Black Forest biome. You can also use Core Wood from Pine Trees in the Black Forest, as it yields more Wood per tree.\n\nA common challenge is managing the distance between your smelting area and mining locations. To solve this, consider building a portal near your mining site to quickly transport ores back to your base. Portals require 20 Fine Wood, 10 Greydwarf Eyes, and 2 Surtling Cores to craft. This setup saves time and reduces the risk of losing resources during long trips.\n\nFinally, optimize your smelting area by adding storage chests nearby. This allows you to store ores, Charcoal, and smelted metals efficiently. You can also build a Workbench nearby to repair tools and craft additional items. As you progress, consider upgrading your smelting area with multiple Smelters and Kilns to process larger quantities of materials simultaneously.\n\nIn summary, upgrading your base with a dedicated smelting area involves gathering Surtling Cores, crafting a Charcoal Kiln and Smelter, and planning a safe, efficient layout. Use portals to streamline resource transportation and add storage for better organization. With these steps, you’ll have a reliable smelting setup to support your Viking adventures.